Jaco Taute On Whether He’d Consider Signing A Permanent Deal With Munster Or Not

Jaco Taute has only been with Munster a few weeks but has already made a huge impression

The monster centre announced himself on the European rugby scene with a mammoth performance against the Glasgow Warriors and is quickly become a firm favourite with the Munster faithful.

Taute signed a short-term deal in place of the injured Francis Saili but Munster fans are already calling for the southern province to seek out a permanent deal for the former Springbok who looks like he could become a big-time player for the two-time European champs.

Speaking to the42, Taute vows to ‘serve the jersey with the pride and passion it deserves,’

“Rassie contacted me after they knew about Francis’ injury, asking me if I’d be willing to take up this opportunity. I didn’t even have to think about it.

“I joined the Stormers when Rassie was there and when I joined the Springboks he was there, he was the performance analyst, so I knew him well before coming here.

“At the moment, given it is short-term, I would like to take every opportunity in the red jersey to give my utmost best and to play and serve the jersey with the pride and the passion it deserves.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead into the future. I just want to take it week by week and then when the opportunity presents itself we will sit down and see. There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge and I need to play my socks off at every opportunity.”

Taute also said the news of Anthony Foley’s tragic death came as a huge shock,

I only knew Axel for about a month and a half but from the first moment I had any inter-action with him I could sense the pride and the passion he had for this place and for this community.

He was absolutely driven, he was a great individual and I could sense that if I get the opportunity to play I had better do the jersey its justice.

“After his passing it was very tough, very sudden, and it brought the group together and all credit must go to the management for really helping us through that time.

“We got through that week and we were lucky to have the opportunity to pay tribute to him in the way that was fitting at Thomond Park and to play for him and the way he wanted us to play.

“The 80 minutes flew past so quickly, it was an unbelievable experience, the crowd was insane. I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like that,”

Taute will look to pick up where he left off against Glasgow as he starts tomorrow in a mouth-watering inter-pro clash with Ulster.